Deuteronomy 5:16

Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Moses addresses the Israelites on the plains of Moab, reiterating the covenant stipulations before the conquest of Canaan. He positions this command between the Sabbath reminder and the prohibition against murder.

The words — כַּבֵּד (kabbed) translates literally to "honor" or "give weight to," and אָבִיךָ וְאִמֶּךָ (aviykha ve'immecha) means "your father and your mother."

The thread — The same directive appears in Exodus 20:12 as part of the Decalogue and is later cited in Ephesians 6:1 and Colossians 3:20 regarding familial obedience.

Why it lands — The text commands children to respect their parents as a direct obedience to God's instruction. It links this obedience to prolonged life and prosperity in the land God provides.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

King James Version

Honour thy father and thy mother, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

Cross-references

Exodus 20:12 Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.
Deuteronomy 4:40 Keep His statutes and commandments, which I am giving you today, so that you and your children after you may prosper, and that you may live long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you for all time.
Deuteronomy 27:16 ‘Cursed is he who dishonors his father or mother.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
Matthew 15:4 For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’
Matthew 19:19 honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Mark 10:19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not cheat others, honor your father and mother.’”
Leviticus 19:3 Each of you must respect his mother and father, and you must keep My Sabbaths. I am the LORD your God.
Luke 18:20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and mother.’”